John (Jack) Maurice Baird

John (Jack) Maurice Baird: John after his great grandfather, Maurice after his grandfather, "Jack" lovingly after his Uncle Jack. Jack is the name he chose to go by and by which everyone knew him. Jack was born in San Francisco June 24, 1925. His father had been an Army pilot. His mother attended University of California at Berkeley and, when the war broke out, helped start a free library for military families and veterans in San Francisco.

Jack grew up during the Great Depression and sold newspapers on the streets in the city to help his family financially. Times were tough, and he lived for a time with his Uncle Jack and Aunt Evelyn; his parents couldn't make ends meet, and living with relatives was what families did during those times. He graduated from Lowell High School where he was in the ROTC, and attended College of the Pacific and UC San Francisco. Jack was forever a Cal football fan. Jack met his first wife, Joan Mullen, at Lowell High School in San Francisco. Both their families resided in the same San Francisco apartment building on Jackson & Taylor. Coincidentally, they too, found an apartment in the same building after they were married. Daughters Eileen and Kathy were both born in San Francisco living in that same apartment building. The Bairds moved to San Bruno in 1955 where they were living when their son, Mark Baird, was born.

Jack enlisted as a sailor in the Navy in 1943; part of his service was spent in Guam. After his active duty, he enlisted in the Navy Reserves and retired as Commander in 1974; Jack always felt a need to be a part of serving and caring for his country.

And he was frugal! He always worked full-time, and taught his children to be independent and self-sufficient. He worked hard for everything he provided his family, and expected his children to do the same. But he was always the caretaker, and taught his children respect, integrity, pride, and ensured his children felt safe, loved, and capable of making their own way in the world.

Jack and Joan Mullen Baird divorced in 1974. Jack later met a wonderful woman, Patricia (Pat) Mulligan Webb, who he lovingly called "Patty." Pat had four children of her own from a previous marriage. Jack and Pat married in 1977. He continued his work at the Naval Weapons Station in Concord, California, making the long commute daily from Napa, where they had made their home. Jack and Pat were very involved in their community's MAAD program, and the Baird/Webb clan grew together as a family in Napa, California.

The last chapter of Jack's life was spent, with Pat, in a retirement community in Rocklin, California. There, they had plenty of years to enjoy book clubs, club house events, and family get-togethers, always waiting with open arms to hug his children and granddaughter, Megan Kathleen, Eileen's daughter. In Jack's later years he made sure his Patty was taken care of should he pass before she did, which he did on January 4th, 2023. Jack, always the caretaker, always loving his family, always loving what was most dear to him.

Jack left behind daughters Eileen Baird Kosel and Kathy Baird, son Mark Baird, granddaughter Megan Kosel, cousin Trish O'Callaghan, Patricia and her children.

Now, may all the angels take loving care of Jack. We love him more than words can say, and we miss him terribly every day